FanPost

Possible striker targets in January with poll.

With the January window approaching, and our current strikers not scoring consistently, we need a new striker. The options in January are far fewer than in the summer, yet there's still a few possible targets that CL-bound or not could help Chelsea win something this season. Chelsea have recently been linked to strikers such as Balotelli, Costa and Martinez. 3 goalscoers that may come at a more reasonable price than a Falcao, and also in January. These 3 players are all possible January strikers for Chelsea, so let's have a quick look at general and seasonal stats for each of them.

1. Mario Balotelli
Milan_2469970b_medium

via i.telegraph.co.uk

Age: 23
Height: 1,90
Nationality: Italy
Ghana
Position: Striker - Centre Forward
Foot: right
Market value: 26.500.000 £
30.000.000 € Market value of  discuss in the market analysis...

(http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/mario-balotelli/profil/spieler_45146.html)

Tournament Apps Goals Assists Yellow Red SpG PS% AW MoM Rating
Serie A* 12 6 3 6 1 6.3 69.6 1.2 2 7.46
UEFA Champions League* 4(2) 2 - 2 - 2.7 67.3 1 - 7.1
Total 16 (2) 8 3 8 1 5.1 69 1.1 2 7.34

(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/33799)

2. Diego Costa
Diego-costa1_medium

via www.insidespanishfootball.com

Age: 25
Height: 1,88
Nationality: Spain
Brazil
Position: Striker - Centre Forward
Foot: right
Market value: 22.000.000 £
25.000.000 €

(http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/diego-costa/profil/spieler_44779.html)

Tournament Apps Goals Assists Yellow Red SpG PS% AW MoM Rating
La Liga* 16(1) 19 1 3 - 3.4 77.6 1.4 3 7.81
UEFA Champions League* 3 4 1 - - 4.3 75.6 0.3 1 8.52
Total 19 (1) 23 2 3 3.5 77.3 1.2 4 7.92

(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/24248/)

3. Jackson Martinez

226291_heroa_medium

via static.goal.com

Age: 27
Height: 1,88
Nationality: Colombia
Position: Striker - Centre Forward
Foot: both
Market value: 26.500.000 £
30.000.000 €

(http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/jackson-martinez/profil/spieler_74418.html)

Tournament Apps Goals Assists Yellow Red SpG PS% AW MoM Rating
Liga Sagres 14 12 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
UEFA Champions League* 6 2 - 2 - 4.3 73.4 3.8 - 7.04
Total 20 (0) 14 2 4.3 73.4 3.8 7.04

(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/27494/)

Costa is certainly looking like the one we would want to sign out of the 3 based on the stats. But let's not forget that Baloltelli is playing for a Milan side that is struggling, while Costa plays for the current joint top La Liga side. Martinez is also doing quite alright with Porto in a 3 horsed Liga Sagres race.(all 3 teams currently at 33 points)

In my opinion they are all good choices. Balotelli is a slight gamble because of his behaviour, but he's Premier League proven, and has a good relationship with Mourinho from his Inter days. Balotelli is also only 23 years old, so there's a lot more to come from him. On the other hand Costa's stunning stats make him an excellent choice,"Just look at it!" -Edbassmaster. And he's still only 25 years old, which means there's a good chance he'll improve further. However of the 3 he's probably the one that's less likely to sign in January because of how well his team is doing, though it's still possible obviously, time will tell. Then there's Jackson Martinez, the oldest at 27 years. A renown finisher who's good with both feet. He would be a great signing, but comes with a 34£ million release clause, and what if he doesn't make it? Always a concern when Chelsea target strikers.

All in all they are 3 great strikers we could sign for a reasonable price this January. It's difficult to pick between Balotelli, Costa and Martinez, but let's pick one to sign. So considering everything mentioned, stats and so on, which one would you want Chelsea to sign?

(Falcao, Suarez, Lewandowski, Cavani, Higuain not included in this poll because I don't believe they are realistic targets this window)



RESULTS: With over 300 votes the poll ended with some interesting results. Balotelli got 51% of the votes, while Costa not far off got 42%, leaving Martinez last with only 7%. The results speak for themselves really, and even more interesting is perhaps what happens next. Recent reports suggest Chelsea might not even sign a striker in this transfer window, so it will be interesting to see if something happens on that front at all in this window.

- BlueNico
Twitter: @BlueNicoCFC

This FanPost was contributed by a member of the community and was not subject to any sort of approval process. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions held by the editors of this site.

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